New York - UN processes and IT expert Dr. Rior Santos, trainer of the three-day leadership and advocacy training of a global women’s organization, wrapped up the workshop emphasizing that civil society organizations must hold governments to account. "While we are targeting to reach goals, we also need to look at governments to deliver those goals that they have committed to," he said during the closing day of the training where some 35 attendees became certified as UN Advoca

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, New Jersey — A Filipino nurse practitioner is facing serious criminal charges after allegedly assaulting a 16-year-old inside a medical unit at a county-run youth shelter, authorities said. Izee Dizon, 34, of Bridgewater, was arrested on March 8, two days after the reported incident at the Middlesex County Youth Shelter, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Linda Estremera. Dizon is charged with third-degree aggravated assault and child endangerment. Pro

The Philippine government has rejected China’s criticism of its maritime activities near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), insisting that its operations are lawful and conducted within its sovereign rights under international law. In a statement, the Department of National Defense (DND) pushed back against remarks from the People’s Republic of China (PRC), which described Philippine actions in the contested area of the South China Sea as “a self-directed farce.” Defense s

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the suspension of the planned fare increase for public utility vehicles, saying the move is not appropriate at a time when oil prices are rising due to tensions and fighting in the Middle East. In a video message, Marcos directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to immediately suspend the fare hike and defer its implementation, stressing that the government must prioritize relief for commuters, workers, and students who rely o

The House Committee on Justice on Wednesday declared that the third and fourth impeachment complaints filed against Vice President Sara Duterte are sufficient in grounds. Because of this, the committee scheduled the impeachment hearings on March 25, April 14, 22, and 29, where witnesses and evidence against Duterte will be presented. During the committee meeting on Wednesday, panel chairperson Atty. Gerville “Jinky Bitrics” Luistro of Batangasapproved the motion on the two im

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. admitted that the Philippines’ tourism industry is lagging behind its Asian neighbors and must work harder to catch up. Marcos made the remark days after removing Tourism Secretary Christina Frasco from her post and appointing her as Presidential Adviser for Sustainable and Resilient Communities. Speaking at the opening of the Mactan Expo Center in Cebu on March 16, the President said the country’s tourism sector is facing significant

The UN New York Headquarters New York – Eighty-year-old United Nations organization has this reputation of being a lame giant for having failed to deliver on its own deliverables – the lofty goals of world peace and justice. In informal circles, it has this monicker NATO – no action, talk only. But has the UN really failed? The UN itself has released its report that only about 35% of the Sustainable Development Goals (there are 17 goals) have been reached. Additionally, sever

NEW YORK - Northern Samar 2nd District Representative Edwin C. Ongchuan recently met with executives of Cebu Pacific to discuss possible initiatives aimed at strengthening transportation connectivity and promoting economic development in the province. The meeting brought together Ongchuan and key airline officials, including Michael Ivan Shau, President and Chief Operating Officer of Cebgo, Ces Natividad, Vice President for Corporate Affairs, and other executives from the air

Steven Raga serves as the representative of Assembly District 30 in Queens in the New York State Assembly. During his term, his initiatives have focused on housing protections, workers’ rights, immigrant services, healthcare transparency, and civic participation. According to legislative records from the New York State Assembly’s official website and LegiScan, Raga has sponsored and co-sponsored several pieces of legislation aimed at helping working-class families. During his

CEBU - What was supposed to be a simple trip to seek help after a typhoon turned into a heartbreaking tragedy for a young mother struggling to support her family. Mary Christ Cuizon, 31, collapsed and died while waiting in line to validate records for ₱5,000 financial assistancefor victims of Typhoon Tino, which hit Cebu last November, at the Barangay Opao gymnasium in Mandaue City. Cuizon, a resident of Zone Talong, Barangay Paknaan, was later declared dead on arrival at Man

A total of 442 Filipinos from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) arrived safely in the Philippines on government-assisted flights on Saturday, March 14, as tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran continue to escalate across the Middle East. The returning passengers many of them overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) were flown home through coordinated repatriation efforts by Philippine authorities as security concerns rise in the Gulf region. The repatriation comes as t

The Philippine peso weakened further against the U.S. dollar on Friday, sliding close to the P60 mark as growing tensions in the Middle East fueled uncertainty in global financial markets. The local currency briefly dropped to P59.75 per dollar before closing at P59.735, according to data from the Bankers Association of the Philippines. The peso opened the trading day at P59.55, already weaker than Thursday’s closing rate of P59.385. It initially strengthened in early trading

Food security and education were among the key priorities discussed during a recent meeting between Northern Samar Governor Harris Christopher Ongchuan and Senator Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan, chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Food and Agrarian Reform. The dialogue focused on strengthening programs that support Filipino farmers, fisherfolk, and students sectors considered critical to the country’s long-term development. A major part of the discussion centered on

The Philippines’ unemployment rate climbed to 5.8 percent in January 2026, the highest level since June 2022, as the number of jobless Filipinos surged to 2.96 million, up from 2.26 million in December, according to the latest data from the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA). During a press briefing on March 13, PSA Deputy National Statistician Divina Gracia L. del Prado said the country recorded an increase of about 695,000 unemployed Filipinos at the start of the year. T

Vice President Sara Duterte said the move by Akbayan party-list Rep. Chel Diokno to request subpoenas in the impeachment proceedings only proves that there is no solid evidence against her and that her critics are merely “fishing” for proof. “Media outlets have recently published what is described as a letter from Rep. Diokno filed before the House Committee on Justice, seeking the issuance of subpoenas to obtain additional documents and records in connection with the impeach

NEW YORK - Filipino activists staged a noisy protest outside The Pierre Hotel on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan, calling out Philippine President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. for staying in a luxury hotel suite reportedly costing up to $17,000 a night, while many Filipinos struggle with rising prices and economic hardship back home. Community members gathered outside the hotel, beating drums and playing instruments in what organizers described as a “wake-up call” protest aimed

NEW YORK — More than 200 Filipino community members and their allies staged a protest march Sunday, March 8, from the Philippine Consulate General in New York to The Pierre Hotel in Manhattan, where Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is believed to be staying during his visit to the United Nations. The demonstration coincided with International Women’s Day , as activists gathered ahead of the opening of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women , where the

LUCENA CITY, Philippines - A suspected relationship dispute turned deadly after a man was fatally shot inside a store along Enriquez Street in Barangay 4, Lucena City, around 11:00 a.m. on March 5. The victim was identified as Jayson Zoleta, who reportedly worked at a clothing outlet in a mall in the city. According to the Philippine National Police (PNP) in Lucena, the suspect has been identified as Fattah Esmai Faisal, a resident of Barangay Marketview. Authorities said th

The Appeals Chamber of the International Criminal Court (ICC) has upheld the decision of its Pre-Trial Chamber to continue the detention of former Philippine President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, rejecting his appeal seeking release from custody. In its ruling, the Appeals Chamber dismissed arguments from Duterte’s defense team that his medical condition and alleged cognitive impairment should warrant his release. The defense had claimed that Duterte’s health issues reduced the like

The House Committee on Justice has given Vice President Sara Duterte 10 calendar days to respond to the impeachment complaints filed against her after lawmakers found two of the complaints sufficient in substance. The directive came during the committee’s deliberations Wednesday on the fourth impeachment complaint filed against Duterte, which includes allegations of unexplained increases in her declared wealth based on her Statement of Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth (SALN)